Bills return to 4-3 already living up to expectations of dominance

Following the Buffalo Bills’ first two preseason games, the impressive play of rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman and the struggles of Tyrod Taylor has resulted in heated debates among fans and analysts alike. However, this strange quarterback ‘controversy’ has overshadowed one of the biggest storylines from the offseason – the team returning to a 4-3 defense under coach Sean McDermott after struggling in Rex Ryan’s hybrid 3-4 scheme throughout the last two seasons.

In 2014, the Bills ran a 4-3 scheme under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and they were one of the best in the NFL. They ranked No. 4 in total defense (312.2 yards-per-game), No. 4 in points allowed (18.1) and No. 1 in sacks (54).

While Buffalo’s offense has been tough to watch for the better part of their first two preseason contests, the defense looks ready to return to dominance.

Here’s a look at the team’s defensive stats from their two exhibition contests.

The biggest improvement that’s expected to stem from the transition back to the 4-3 front is the pass rush. Under Ryan, many players felt as though they weren’t being utilized correctly and they didn’t get after the quarterback as consistently as they did in the two previous seasons. Through the team’s first two preseason matchups, the defense has tallied five sacks and 10 quarterback hits.

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Jerry Hughes racked up 20 sacks from 2013-14 but struggled in his role as an outside linebacker in Ryan’s exotic scheme that asked him to drop into coverage and play from a wide variety of alignments. Defensive tackles Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus each terrorized opposing interior linemen while playing in a 4-3 system as well. Shaq Lawson, the team’s first-round draft pick in 2016 had an impressive training camp and looks ready to be an impact defender opposite Hughes.

In the clip below, Lawson is aligned at the left defensive end position. He explodes out of his stance before defeating the Eagles’ right tackle with ease and helps defensive tackle Jerel Worthy bring down the running back as he receives the handoff.

It’s just the preseason, but Buffalo’s defensive line is already dominating at the point of attack and the back seven is playing fast and physical. Defenders are running to the ball and making tackles, something that the team has struggled with on a consistent basis in recent years.

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Following the Bills’ loss to the Eagles, coach McDermott told reporters that he was pleased with how the defense was able to keep themselves in favorable situations by shutting down the run.

“We were able to create some negative plays and put them behind the sticks, which is part of being a good defense and keeping ourselves in favorable third down situations defensively,” McDermott said. “So that always helps – the penetration, the negative yards, the negative plays on first and second down. And I thought we did a pretty good job of controlling the line of scrimmage up front.”

Lorenzo Alexander expanded on those comments, praising the defensive line, telling reporters that because of the strong play of the front four, it made things easier for Buffalo’s linebackers.

“Kudos to Mike Waufle and getting those guys up front going; Jerry Hughes, Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus, Shaq Lawson, and then it recedes down to the second and third units because the standard has been set so high,” Alexander said. “As a linebacker, it’s easy, we’re flowing to the ball, you see Preston [Brown] out there making plays, Ramon [Humber] making plays because we’re staying clean. It’s definitely because our front showed up and played well for four quarters.”

It’s still the preseason and while there are still some questions marks in the secondary, it looks like Buffalo’s defense can return to playing at a dominant level, once again led by its ferocious front four.

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